In the realm of sneakers, one of the critical elements is what we call the "upper", that big leather or fabric portion enveloping your foot.

So, the big question arises: do we stick with genuine leather or opt for the so-called "vegan leather"?

Initially, it might seem like a slam dunk to go with vegan leather. But, surprise, surprise, things are seldom that straightforward.

The drawbacks of animal leather are pretty apparent:

• It's complicit in animal cruelty (not a pleasant thought, right?)
• It supports an industry that's a major contributor to global warming

So, pretty bad, huh? You bet.

But, here's the twist: vegan leather comes with its own set of problems that often get swept under the rug:

• Most vegan leathers are chock-full of Polyeurethane, aka plastic (because without plastic, vegan leathers don't really work)

So, where does that leave us? How do we make an informed choice for our sneakers?

Maybe a comparison of the perks of each could offer some insight:

Advantages of Animal Leather

• It's durable (can take a beating and still hold up)
• Breathable and comfy
• Develops character over time

Advantages of Vegan Leather

• It's cruelty-free
• Mostly sourced from plant-based materials

In our quest for sustainability, we've noticed a recurring theme. There's often a trade-off between fighting animal cruelty and ditching plastic.

Our Decision

So, after much deliberation, we've made our call:

Based on our deep analysis that is really oversimplified here, we're rolling with vegan leather. For now.

Plot Twist

For us, vegan leather isn't the holy grail; it's just the best option available...for now!

Beware anyone who claims vegan is always the way to go; they're oversimplifying things.

For instance, if you were in the market for a sturdy boot, the vegan version wouldn't cut it. A used animal leather boot lasts longer and can be repaired, making it the most sustainable choice in this scenario.

But, hey, we're not in the boot business; we're all about sneakers.

So, for us, vegan makes sense.

We're always on the lookout for something better, and guess what? We found it!

There are a few companies out there making materials without a trace of plastic, using entirely biogenic resources.

The real solution

Materials with zero plastic that are durable and biodegradable.

The only issue? Working with these companies takes time, especially for a small cub like us. Their output is limited, and buying in big bulk isn't exactly within our means right now.

But hey, we're not going anywhere. And the more successful we become, the more sustainable we'll be.

Oh, and one more thing:

This applies to every part of our shoes.

We're committed to finding the best, most sustainable, and coolest solution for each part. Care to join us on this wild ride? What do you think?